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Preparation
1 hour
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Difficulty
Easy
The article in the kitchen below will guide you to make a delicious and unique vegetarian pork sausage that is chewy and crispy. Let’s refer to the method of making this vegetarian dish right away!
Ingredients for Vegetarian Pork Sausage For 2 people
Agar powder 2 teaspoons Chicken thigh mushrooms 200 gr Fresh shiitake mushrooms 200 gr Dried wood ear mushrooms 3 pieces Cooking oil 1 tablespoon Crushed pepper 1/2 teaspoon (not too fine) Vegetarian seasoning 2 teaspoons Salt 1/2 teaspoon Sugar 2 teaspoons Chopped shallots 2 teaspoons Chopped garlic 2 teaspoons
How to choose fresh ingredients
How to choose good chicken thigh mushrooms:
- For fresh mushrooms, it is advisable to buy those with bright colors, appealing aromas, and avoid choosing mushrooms that are bruised or have a foul smell. Avoid mushrooms with dark spots or wrinkles on the cap or those that are slimy. Truly fresh mushrooms have a thin, paper-like veil on them.
- It is best to select mushrooms with firm stems and uniform color. When mushrooms start to age, their stems look like rotten wood. If the mushrooms have opened up, the gills on the cap form a neat, beautiful, and dry pattern.
- Mushrooms should be no longer than 15 cm; if they exceed this length, they will gradually become hollow inside, and the taste will no longer be good. Fresh chicken thigh mushrooms have a characteristic aroma similar to almonds, indicating they are delicious.
How to choose good dried wood ear mushrooms:
- Priority should be given to selecting wood ear mushrooms with large, thick ears and minimal small mushrooms at the base. The mushrooms should have a dark amber color, slightly shiny (for the top side) and a coffee color (for the underside).
- Avoid choosing black wood ear mushrooms that look too dark, as they can become mushy when soaked in water and are less crunchy.
How to choose fresh shiitake mushrooms:
- Choose mushrooms that are of moderate size, with short stems, a tightly closed cap, and a slightly brownish-yellow color.
- Avoid selecting caps that are dark brown, as they may be toxic; however, you should also be flexible in your choices since shiitake mushrooms typically turn dark brown when cooked. Additionally, they have a distinctive, natural aroma.
Tools needed
Non-stick pan, knife, aluminum foil, plastic bags (thick type, heat resistant)
How to make Vegetarian Gio Thu
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Mix the agar powder
Mix the agar powder in a bowl with 300ml of hot water, 2 teaspoons of agar powder, stir well for the agar to dissolve.
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Prepare the ingredients
Clean the chicken thigh mushrooms, cut off the stems and slice them into bite-sized pieces.
Fresh shiitake mushrooms should have the dirt at the base removed, soak in diluted salt water for 2 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water. Then slice into small pieces.
Soak the wood ear mushrooms in water until soft, cut off the stems, squeeze dry, and then slice into small pieces.
Tips for properly soaking dried wood ear mushrooms:
- Soak the dried wood ear mushrooms for about 3 – 4 hours until they soften, avoid soaking for too long or overnight, as this can produce toxins in the mushrooms that are harmful to health.
- Do not use hot water to soak the mushrooms for quicker softening. Although the mushrooms may soften faster in hot water, the morpholine in the mushrooms will not have enough time to neutralize, which is unsafe.
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Sauté mushrooms
Place a pan on the stove, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil, then add the minced onion and garlic, sautéing until fragrant over medium heat.
Next, add the chicken thigh mushrooms and fresh shiitake mushrooms to the pan, stir for about 1 – 2 minutes until the mushrooms soften slightly, then add the wood ear mushrooms, stirring well again.
Then season with 2 teaspoons of seasoning powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 2 teaspoons of sugar into the mushroom pan. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Tip: When you see the mushrooms starting to soften, gradually increase the heat so they don’t release water!When the mushrooms are cooked and soft, add the vegetable gelatin mixture, stir well, then add 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, boil again, and then turn off the heat.
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Pour into mold and chill
Pour the sautéed mushrooms into a plastic bag and wrap the bag with a layer of aluminum foil so that the foil completely covers the plastic bag. Then use a rubber band to secure it tightly as shown.
Place the vegetarian gio thu in the refrigerator and leave it overnight to let it harden.
Tip:
- After finishing the vegetarian gio thu, let it sit outside for about 30 – 45 minutes to cool completely before placing it in the fridge!
- Besides wrapping it in a plastic bag with aluminum foil, you can also use a special mold to shape the gio thu!
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Final Product
Delicious vegetarian gio thu with the crispy texture of cat mushrooms, the natural sweetness of chicken leg mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms, and well-seasoned flavors that are just right, don’t you think? Enjoy it with a little spicy soy sauce to make the dish even more appealing!
Tips for Storing Vegetarian Gio Thu
The shelf life of vegetarian gio thu in the refrigerator is a maximum of about 5 – 7 days. If you notice that the outside of the gio thu appears slimy, you should not continue to use it. This is a warning sign that the gio thu has gone bad.
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Vegetarian Gio Thu is chewy, crispy, and delicious, and really easy to make, right? Wish you all success!
*Image source and recipe shared from the Facebook page Culinary Life
